Reena Rose

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JERSEY CITY, NJ, OCTOBER 30, 2008 -- Seventh-grader Jorge Pagan collects tickets of those
who already cast their votes during the "National Student/Parent Mock Election” at School 27.

Sixth to eighth-graders at the school voted for candidates for president, senate

and the house of representatives. They also voted on issues such as health care,

the economy, the environment, the high cost of energy, national security, and the wars

in Afghanistan and Iraq. The students made the decorations, posters, and ballot boxes.

Pagan said, "I voted for McCain because he has the most experience and

the best plans to fix our country and the economy."

Seventh-graders at School 27 register to vote during the mock election.

Using a blue paper cup for a microphone, Principal Sandra Frierson interviews

seventh-grader Zohaib Khawaja about who he voted for president during the mock election.

Khawaja said he voted for Ralph Nader because,"He is looking for a life that is more

eco-friendly and he is looking forward to building more windmills."

Frierson said, "In order for this day to be successful it can't just be fun

out of the classroom. The children had to know exactly the issues. Before they can vote

they have to know why these candidates are running, the changes they are going

to make for them, their society and their community. I'm just checking to see if

they are doing their homework, that's the key issue."

Principal Frierson interviews seventh-grader Elisa Baez

about who she voted for president during a mock election.

Seventh-graders at School 27 fill in their ballots during the mock election.